This year we have welcomed into the Family 142 people through Baptism. Another 125 received the Sacrament of Confirmation while 141 were admitted to the table of the Lord at First Communion. There were 33 Funerals celebrated in our parish.
20TH CENTURY – AN AGE OF CHRISTIAN MARTYRS
A recent study by Rupert Shortt has shown there were more Christian martyrs in the 20th century than during the previous nineteen centuries put together. Jon Sobrino S.J. a famous theologian from Central America sums up “the Church is being persecuted because it defends the life of the poor, denounces the unjust destruction of life and promotes the right practice of justice”.
LEADERS OF TRUTH, JUSTICE AND HEALING COUNCIL
The leaders of the TRUTH, JUSTICE AND HEALING COUNCIL set up last week by the Australian Catholic Church are the Honorary Barry O’Keefe QC, (Chair) and Francis Sullivan (CEO). Mr O’Keefe is a former Chief Supreme Court Judge (NSW) and Chair of Interpol’s International Group of Experts on Corruption. Mr Sullivan is a former Secretary General of Australian Medical Association (AMA).
The Church supports the establishment of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. The Truth, Justice and Healing Council has three tasks:
Identifying systematic institutional failures that have impeded the protection of children
Promoting lasting healing for the survivors of previous abuse
Identifying all necessary measures to prevent abuse of children in the future.
WHAT A GREAT PARISH WE HAVE
“What a great Parish we have” was a comment heard on Friday. Let us give thanks to all who have given their time and finance to make our Parish be great, the list of givers is endless – but you know who you are. May the generous Lord reward your generosity.
A SIGN OF HOPE– A QUIET VOICE OF ASIA
Last month, the Pope appointed Cardinal Luis Tagel of Manila aged 55 years, one of the youngest cardinals. He is known for his cycling around Manila to see and experience the tears and smiles of the people he serves. He speaks several languages and has a doctorate in Theology from Catholic University in Washington DC. At the Synod of 240 Bishops in Rome in November, his presentation included “The Church cannot and must not pretend to have easy answers to the dilemmas facing men and women today. Instead, it must be an attentive and listening Church– only that way will people believe that God listens to them too.” He went on:”The Church must be a humble Church, modelling herself more on Jesus and being less preoccupied by her power, prestige and position in society.” ……Kevin McIntosh
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR YEAR 6 GRADUATES
Last week these students completed their primary education at our two schools. Their Graduation Ceremonies included a Mass followed by supper for their families and teachers.
ST VINCENT DE PAUL SUNBURY
St Vincent de Paul wish to thank our parishioners, the Rotary Club and local schools who gave donations this Christmas. These incredibly generous donations have enabled our conference to share the joy of Christmas with struggling local families by providing them with food vouchers, toys and gifts.
Your donations at Mass this month raised $4,000 – thank you.
THANKYOU FOR YOUR THANKSGIVING OFFERING
Your contribution has enabled our Parish to continue its service this year, unlike some schools which have closed due to financial problems. During the year we have paid $3134 per week making our Parish Loan Repayments and have given $596 per week as our Diocesan Levy to support various diocesan agencies eg. Evangelisation Office, Hospital and Prison chaplains, Catholic Social Services and Formation of priests etc.
The support of our priest is given not from Thanksgiving Offering but from the first collection and Christmas Offerings. The support includes the lease and running costs of a car, board and lodging and a living allowance. Supply priests are paid from these offerings also.
CHURCH’S SUBMISSION TO PARLIAMENTARY ENQUIRY ON CHILD ABUSE
Copies of an executive summary of our submission to be heard probably in March is available today from the Welcome Desk.
GONE MISSING?
If anyone has seen the remote controls for the laptops at St Anne’s or Our Lady of Mount Carmel Churches, would you please advise where they might be found.
Theyhas been missing for about 3 weekends.
PARISH CENTRE CHAIRS FOR SALE
Our Parish has recently ordered new chairs for the Parish Centre to replace the old, heavy chairs. If you or anyone you know are interested in purchasing any of the chairs please contact the Parish Office on 9744 1060. Make an offer!
USE OF CANDLE SNUFFER………………PLEASE!
At a Liturgy meeting, it was suggested that when the candles are extinguished after Mass, only the snuffer is used.
We ask people not to blow the candles out as wax spills and is very difficult to clean.
We ask everyone’s cooperation in this matter please.
NEWS FROM SOCIAL JUSTICE GROUP
Caritas Australia Media Release – Crisis spreads in the Congo. Church Leaders say the Democratic Republic of Congo is on the brink of war. Read the Bishops of Africa’s full statement at www.caritas.org.au/media. To support Caritas Emergency response, donations can be made to Caritas Australia Congo Appeal at www.caritas.org.au/donate.
MERCY CONNECT PROJECT
Mercy Works Ltd is currently recruiting volunteers to support refugee students in their educational transitions in Secondary and Primary schools in Melbourne’s northern and western regions.
The volunteer commitment is half a day per week for four school terms. Experience working in an educational setting is required. Retired teachers are encouraged to apply. A training program will be conducted in Feb 2013. Please contact Sr Mary Lewis for an app. form and further info.
Mercy Connect Project 9326 1895 or email somml@bigpond.com.
STEWARDSHIP……A WAY OF LIFE
CATHOLIC STEWARDSHIP FROM SUNDAYS READINGS
Today — Gaudete Sunday, the Third Sunday in Advent — is a time to rejoice! Everything, from the lighting of the rose-colored candle, to the consistent use of the words JOY and REJOICE in the readings, points to being called to joyfully proclaim the imminent coming of Jesus.
Often people who practice stewardship as a way of life are called a “joyous people.” That is a natural reflection and a natural phrase to use with people of stewardship because, based upon living their lives as grateful people, they focus on their blessings, not their Crosses and burdens. When one sees the good sides of life and living, it is difficult not to be happy.
Our task as Catholics is to focus much of the energy and excitement which seems to come with this season into what we are really celebrating — the arrival of Christ. Advent is about hope. It is not just hope that things will get better or hope that our burdens will disappear. It is hope that there is meaning to our lives. It is the hope and understanding that there is an incredible existence beyond our human state. It is the hope that our lives are not as limited as they may seem to be. We must never forget what we heard in a Gospel passage of a few weeks ago: “All things are possible with God.” After all, “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.”
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TREE OF LIFE– OUR CHRISTMAS TREE
As we put up our Christmas trees, let us reflect on the symbolism: by a tree we were lost, by a tree we were saved: the Christmas tree, in a sense, prefigures the Easter cross also it is evergreen symbolising new life or eternity. A new book by Bernd Brunner places the first Christmas tree in Estonia in 1441.
…..Kevin McIntosh
THANK YOU
Thank you to the wonderful Ministers of Communion who take Communion to the house bound and the Aged Care Facilities, we thank you all and wish you a very Holy and Safe Christmas and many blessings in the New Year.
THANK YOU
THANK YOU to Jo Wiegerink and Jim Reilly for the beautiful work they have done on restoring the Christmas statues and building a new stable. The crib will be assembled next Tuesday by Eileen and Kelvin Cardillo, for all to enjoy.
ST VINCENT DE PAUL SPECIAL CHRISTMAS COLLECTION
ST VINCENT DE PAUL SPECIAL CHRISTMAS COLLECTION
COMING UP OVER 2 WEEKENDS
Our parish has always had an excellent rapport with our local Vinnies. We are looking to have a special collection over the weekends of 9 & 15 December (please note the change of date) to assist the Vinnies at this time of the year. Rather than buying presents for families, it was considered more dignified to give families cash to buy gifts for each other. Our community has always been generous, and we ask that you can help again at this special time of year.
Vinnies are distributing $8000 per month to needy families in Sunbury and Diggers Rest and our Parish would like to give these families a little extra so they can have the joy and dignity of purchasing Christmas presents for their own children.
HELP REQUIRED
On Thursday 20 December from 7pm, we will be asking for people to assist with the set up for the Christmas Eve Mass at Lakeside Stadium, Rupertswood.
Last year we set up in 20 minutes.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Sunbury 
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